Machine for swaging together the parts of an iron picket fence



(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheetl.

A. J. MOYER.

MACHINE FOR SWAGING TOGETHER THE PARTS OF AN IRON PIGKET FENCE.

.No. 379,321. Patented Mar. 13, 1888.

M .dttorney Nv PETERS. PbololJllwgnpher, Wuhingicn. D a

v 5 Sheets$heet 2. A. J. Patented Mar. '18, 1888.

lmumflmmfi" N PEIERS. Pacwmm m hsr. Washington. v.1.

WITNESSES.

(No Model.)

MAUHINE FOR SWAGING TOGETHER THE PARTS OP AN IRON PIGKET FENCE.

(No Model.) 8 5 Shets-Sheet 3.

A. J. MOYER. MACHINE FOR SWAGING TOGETHER THE PARTS OF AN IRON PIGKBT FENGE.

No. 379,321. Patented M81. 18, 1888.

I M .dttorney,

H. PETERS Phumumo n her. Washinghm, D. (L

(No Model.) 5 sheets-sheet 4.

A. J. MOYER. MACHINE FOR SWAGING TOGETHER THE PARTS OF AN IRON PIGKET FENGE.

Patented Mar. 13,1888.

m In Wk "mu lllllllllllll i In W -:||||'g'un w um I INVENTOR %7'a7 I).

04 Attorney.

WI TJVESSES.

QQMJM,

hogmphen Washinghm, DV (2.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

1.7V VEJV TOR 0mm 1.2;

(No Model.)

A. J. MOYER. MACHINE FOR SWAGING TOGETHER THE PARTS OF AN IRON PIO'KET FENCE.

Norms 321. Patented Mar. 13, 1888.

er. Wnihinglnn. u.

T0 (6% whom, it may concern:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AARON J. MOYER, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

MACHINE FOR SWAGING TOGETHER THE PARTS OF AN IRON PICKET FENCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 379,321, dated March 13, 1888.

Application filed November 21, 1887. Serial No. 255,717.

Be it known that I, AARON J. MOYER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Clark and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Building Iron Fences, of which the following is a specification, reference being bad therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in machines for building iron fences; and the object which I have in view is that of providing a form which shall receive and hold the rails of a fence-panel while the pickets are being placed in the picketholes in the rails and while the rails are being swaged against the pickets to hold them in place when the panel is in use.

The invention consists, essentially, of astrong rectangular frame and of rail-holders and picket-gages, and having wheels or rollers which travel upon tracks secured to supports or standards one at either end ofthe framewhereby, when the rollers are made to traverse the tracks, the frame assumes asubstantially vertical or a substantially-horizontal position, ac-

cording to the direction in which it is moved) Theinvention also consists of certain details of construction, hereinafter to be mentioned.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and on which like reference-letters indicate corresponding parts,

Figure 1 represents a front view of my im= proved machine with the frame in a vertical position; Fig. 2, an end elevation oft-he machine with the frame in a horizontal position; Fig. 3, also an end elevation with the frame in a vertical position and the middle rail just over the anvil; Fig. 4, an enlarged detail view in end elevation of the frame and anvil, showing the same rail near the anvil and also illustrating in end elevation the horizontal track and roller-frame; Fig. 5, ahorizontal sectional view of one of the fixed columns and sliding beams, showing the curved track in plan; Fig. 6,a detail view of the inner side of one ofthe columns,of a sliding beam, and one curved track, also showing the means for actuating the sliding beam; Fig. 7, an enlarged vertical sectional view of the frame and parts thereof, and Fig. 8 a detail elevation showing devices for clamp- (No model.)

ing a rail and also another form of rail-clamp in detail.

The letter A designates two stout columns, preferably made of wood, secured to the floor ing B of a shop or to any other suitable foundation. These columns are grooved or otherwise provided with a Vertical way, 0, on the inner face thereof, and with abeam, D, forming a part of said way. In this way is smoothly fitted a beam, E, as seen in Fig. 5. This beam is guided at one side by rollers F, rolling against the track G, secured to the beam D. The beam E is also provided with a vertical rack, I, with which engages a pinion, J, on the shaft K, carrying a gear-wheel, L, and a ratchet, M, with which engages a pawl, N, to hold the shaft against rotation from the weight of the beam E. The pinion 0, carried by a shaft, 1?, also having a bearing in column A, serves to rotate the gear L and elevate and lower the beam Ethrough the shaft K, pinion J, and rack I. I have thus far described the construction at one side of the machine. The construction at the other side is the same. Each of the beams E carries a track, Q, a portion of which is curved and occupies about a quadrant, while another portion of which (designated It) is in a substantially-vertical direction. It is in these tracks that the frame is mounted and by which it is changed. from a vertical to a horizontal position when manipulated, as will presently appear. This frame consists of several, preferably three, horizontal beams, S, T, and U, and of end beams, V. To these latter pieces are secured stout metallic plates W, having studs on which are mounted two rollers, X. These'rollers are fitted to travel freely and smoothly in the tracks Q It, and are preferably of such distances apart that those of either set will both stand in the portions R of the respective tracks. By this means the frame is held in .a vertical position-such as track, leaving the frame supported by the other roller at each end and by the wheels Y, one of which is secured to either of the beams V and. adapted to travel upon the tracks Z, secured upon a suitable table or support, a. Vhen the frame is in this position, the rails are placed in the rail-holders of the frame and the pickets in the rail. Two standards, I), are located at the rear of the machine and near the ends thereof, and carry sheaves 0, over which pass ropes or chains (2, secured to the frame in any convenient manner, as shown in Fig. at, whence they extend below the flooring or foundation of the machine, as into the cellar of the building or into the room below, and which act somewhat to counterbalance the weight of the frame, assist largely in returning it from a vertical to a horizontal position, while it is moved from a horizontal to a vertical position by drawing it toward the operators in the direction of the arrow, as seen in Fig. 2, during which it gradually passes from the quadrant to the vertical portions of the track Q R.

The letter a designates several, preferably three, stout slotted bars secured to the frame. On these bars are placed plates f, which are adjustably secured thereto by means of bolts 9, passing through the slots in the bars, as more clearly seen in Fig. 7. A stop is also carried by one of the bolts 9, the purpose of which will presently be explained. To the plates f are bolted or otherwise secured long grooved bars 1', which constitute rail-holders,into which the edges of the rails of the fencepanel are fitted, as seen in Fig. 4,whereby they are held during the operation of placing the pickets in the holes previously formed in the rails,as also during the operation of bulging or swaging the metal of the rails immediately around the pickets against the pickets to hold them in the rails. Supporting-bracketsj are also secured to the platesf, as seen in Fig. 7. The function of this support is that of resting upon the anvil, presently to be described, and solidly sustaining the frame under the blows of the hammer in the swaging operation already spoken of. In Figs. 3 and 4 these supporting-braclc ets are shown as resting upon the anvil.

Referring to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the plates f and rail-holdersi are duplicated at k and Z. This latter holder sustains the intermediate or middle rail of the panel. The adjustability of the rail-holders by means of the slots in the bars 6 admits of placing {the intermediate and foot rails at different distances from each other and from the rail-holder which secures the top rail, according to the size and design of the fence. A rail-holder for the top rail is designated in, and is secured to the beam U of the frame, as seen in Figs. 1 and 7, by a bolt or otherwise. To this-rail-holder are secured two other supporting-brackets, a, for the same purpose as the like brackets,j,while to the plates k are also secured a set of supporting-brackets, 0, whereby the frame is sustained solidly against the blows of the hammer during the swaging of the intermediate and head rails against the pickets. The beam U is hinged to the beams VV, as seen in Fig.7,at q, and is locked against swinging on the hinges by eye-straps r, secured to the beams V, and eyestraps s, secured to the beam U, and the bolts 1?, which look the straps together. drawing the bolts the beam U swings down on its hinges and out of the way of placing the pickets into the several rails, beginning with the one already designated the head-rail. This is done while the frame is in the position shown in Fig. 2. A board, a, is hinged to the beam U and locked against swinging by stout slotted plates 12, secured to said beam and to the board by thumb nuts to, which fit in the slots of said plates, as seen in Figs. 1 and 7. When the thumb-nuts are placed crosswise the slots, as in Fig. 1, the board is secured. When placed lengthwise with the slots, the head passes through the slots and the board swings down so as to clear the gage y, secured to the board, of the passage of the pickets when in serting them into the rails. This gage serves to keep the pickets on a line, as they rest thereon during the operation of swaging. (See Fig. 1.) Another gage, a, secured to another hinged board, 1), serves the same function for the shorter pickets of the panel. This gage By with is notched at c for the passage of the longer pickets, and is adjustable by means of the slotand-bolt connections with the board, so as to allow of sustaining the shorter pickets of varying lengths. The hinge of the board 12 is preferably connected with the beam T. The board is locked to the said beam by plates and thu mb-screws in the same manner as the board a is locked. (See Fig. 1.) When it is desired to elevate the frame to different altitudes, so as to bring either of the supporting-brackets j, 0, or it upon the anvil, the sliding beams E are moved up or down, as the case may require, in the ways 0 by means of the rack I and the shaft, pinions, gear, and crank, already described. \Vhen this is being done, the frame is in a vertical position and its rollers are within the vertical portion R of the tracks.

Theletter e designates two stout post-s hinged to the flooring or other foundation and having connected to their upper ends a heavy iron bar, f, composing what I have termed the anvil. This bar is notched at g, as seen'in Fig. 4, to receive the pickets. When the swaging operation is not going on,the anvil is thrown back upon the floor and again brought up to the position shown in the several figures when the frame has been adjusted for the swaging purposes.

The manner of operating the machine will be understood from the foregoing, and is as track Q. This done, the frame settles down until the rollers occupy the vertical portions of the track B. This brings the frame in a vertical position, when the crank P and gearing are manipulated until either sets of the supportingbrackets, as may be preferred, are brought upon the anvil. The pawl N is then engaged with the ratchet M and a bar-such as shown at A in' Fig. 5-is placed upon the anvil and under the rail, as seen in Fig. 4. A suitably-formed chisel is then placed upon the rail, as suggested in the dotted lines in Fig. 4, and the metal thereof about the hole in which the picket stands is swaged against the picket by striking the chisel with ahammer. This man ner of securing the picket does not form any part of my invention, however. This done, the frame is adjusted until the next set of supporting-brackets is brought upon the anvil, when the operation of swaging is repeated, each picket being thus secured to each rail. The proper relative positions of the several rail-holders are, of course, secured when the machine is set for a particular design of panel. The hinged boards b and u were dropped down out of the way while the frame was'in a horizontal position, as already described, and then brought back and looked after the pickets are inserted in the rails. 'With this machine the work of building fences, so far as concerns that part of the manufacture which consists in properly securing the rails with relation to each other and of securing the pickets to the rails, can be rapidly carried on with a large saving of expense and with an increased amount of production.

In some instances the pickets are not at right angles to the rails, because the fence is to run on a hillside or incline. "When this is the case, the rails are placed in the holders out of line with each other-that is to say,the intermediate rail is placed to one side, (the right or theleft) of the top rail (the lower one in Fig. 1,) and the lower rail to one side of the intermediate rail. This brings the pickets out of perpendicular while in the machine; but when the panel is so placed above the ground as to bring the ends of the several rails in the same vertical plane the pickets will also stand in a vertical position,while the rails are on an incline. To prevent the rails from slipping in the holders when thus arranged, the clamps h are swung around on the plates 9 against the edges of the rails, as shown in Fig. 8, and one or more clamps ysuch as seen in Fig. 8-placed astraddle the rail and railholders at such points as may be necessary to hold the rails where the clamps h do not happen to be.

Having thus fully described my invention,

what I claim as new, and desire to secure-by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a machine for making fences, the combination, with two fixed curved tracks, of a frame mounted in said tracks and having railholders and picket-gages.

2. In a machine for makiugfences, the combination, with two fixed tracks, a portion of each of which is curved and another portion straight, of a frame having rollers which fit in said tracks and provided with rail-holders and picketgages.

3. In a machine for making fences, the combination, with fixed columns, sliding beams fitted thereto, and mechanism to actuate the beams, and two tracks, one secured to each beam, and which tracks have a curved and a straight portion, of a frame having rollers mounted in said tracks and provided with rail-holders and picket-gages, and stationary tracks located in the rear of the curved tracks and adapted to receive and sustain the frame when in a horizontal position, counterbalanceweights, ropes or chains connecting them to the frame, and sheaves for, the ropes or chains, and an anvil located near the front of the machine and adapted to support the frame, substantially as described.

4. In a machine for making fences, the combination, with stationary tracks substantially horizontal and curved tracks a portion of which is vertically placed, of a frame having rollers adapted to travel in the latter tracks and supporting-wheels adapted to travel upon the former tracks, whereby the frame is held inahorizontal position, travels bodily through the arc ofa circle, and is held in a vertical position in the vertical portion of the said tracks.

5; In a machine for making fences, theeombination, with two tracks, each of which has a curved and a vertical portion, of a frame having rollers mounted in said tracks and provided with rail-holders and picket-gages, counterbalanceweights, ropes or chains securing them to said frame, and guide-sheaves for the ropes or chains, and a support located in the rear of said track and adapted to sustain the frame when in a horizontal position.

6. In a machine for making fences, the combination, with the frame,ofslotted bars secured thereto,-plates adjustably connected to said bars,and rail holders connected to said plates.

7. In a machine for making fences, the com bination, with two hinged posts, of a stout metallic bar connected thereto and forming an anvil which may be swung to and from the machine proper. v

8. In a machine for making fences, the combination, with two tracks having curved and straight portions, .of a frame having rollers mounted in said tracks and counterbalance- Weights secured to said frame and arranged to assist in the upward manipulation thereof and to hold back any downward manipulation of said frame.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

AARON J. MOYER.

Witnesses:

WILBER CoLvIN, A. A. YEATMAN.

ICC 

